Environmental Due Diligence & Site Assessment
DEA supports real estate transactions, development, and infrastructure projects through thorough environmental due diligence and site assessment services.
DEA provides comprehensive environmental consulting services in support of real estate transactions, property development, and infrastructure projects.
Our team delivers thorough environmental due diligence and site characterization services designed to identify and evaluate potential environmental liabilities at an early stage, reducing risk and supporting efficient project advancement. All assessments are performed in general accordance with applicable ASTM standards and relevant federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
Typical Services Include:
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM E1527-21), including historical research, regulatory database review, site reconnaissance, and interviews to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)
- Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, including targeted soil, groundwater, and/or vapor sampling to evaluate the presence and extent of contamination
- Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) to evaluate structural systems, building components, and capital expenditure considerations
- Hazardous building material surveys, including asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), radon, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans
- Soil and groundwater management plans
- Site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs)
- Remediation planning, design, oversight, and regulatory coordination
- Client-driven customized environmental due diligence services
Capabilities in detail
Open a section to read the full detail.
phase i environmental site assessments
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, or Phase I ESA, is a non-invasive environmental due diligence evaluation commonly performed during commercial real estate transactions, refinancing, redevelopment, and infrastructure development. DEA’s Phase I ESAs are performed to meet and exceed the requirements of ASTM E1527-21, as applicable to the assignment.
A typical Phase I ESA includes historical review of the property and surrounding area; review of aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, city directories, and other available historical sources; a physical site reconnaissance; regulatory database review; and interviews with owners, operators, occupants, or other knowledgeable parties when appropriate.
The assessment evaluates whether Recognized Environmental Conditions, or RECs, are present. Findings are documented in a clear report that explains the basis for DEA’s conclusions and identifies whether additional investigation, such as a Phase II ESA, may be warranted.
When a Phase I ESA is useful: before acquiring commercial or industrial property; when required by a lender or investor; before redevelopment or major reconstruction; during refinancing; or when a property is transitioning to a more sensitive use. The purpose is objective environmental due diligence, giving the client a clearer understanding of the property’s environmental history and current conditions before a major decision is finalized.
phase II environmental site assessments
When a Phase I ESA or other information identifies a potential environmental concern that requires further evaluation, DEA can develop and implement a targeted Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. Phase II work may include soil, groundwater, and/or vapor sampling designed to evaluate whether contamination is present and, where appropriate, better understand its nature and extent.
DEA develops the investigation scope based on the identified concern, site conditions, project objectives, and applicable regulatory requirements. Our team coordinates field activities, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and reporting so clients receive a focused evaluation rather than unnecessary testing.
Phase II findings can inform transaction decisions, redevelopment planning, construction controls, remediation needs, regulatory coordination, and future environmental management. Where additional action is needed, DEA can remain involved through planning, agency coordination, remediation oversight, and documentation.
property & building-related due diligence
Environmental risk is not limited to soil and groundwater. DEA also supports Property Condition Assessments and hazardous building material surveys that help clients understand conditions affecting existing structures and planned renovations.
Property Condition Assessments can evaluate structural systems, building components, and capital expenditure considerations. Hazardous building material surveys may address asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, radon, and polychlorinated biphenyls based on the property, planned work, and applicable requirements.
For redevelopment and construction projects, identifying these conditions before demolition or renovation can help project teams plan appropriate handling, worker protection, waste management, abatement, and regulatory coordination.
environmental management & remediation support
DEA’s due diligence capabilities extend into practical environmental management. Services can include Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans; soil and groundwater management plans; site-specific Health and Safety Plans; and remediation planning, design, and oversight.
Soil and groundwater management plans can help construction teams address known or potentially impacted material encountered during excavation. Health and Safety Plans can establish project-specific procedures and controls. SPCC planning supports facilities and operations subject to applicable federal requirements.
When remediation is appropriate, DEA can support strategy development, design, contractor and agency coordination, field oversight, documentation, and follow-up. The goal is to connect the findings of environmental due diligence with a practical plan for managing identified conditions.
why early due diligence matters
The most useful environmental due diligence is completed early enough to influence the decision being made. For a transaction, that means allowing time to understand potential liabilities before closing. For development, it means identifying site conditions before construction plans are fixed. For financing, it means producing documentation that can support lender or investor review.
DEA’s role is to provide objective, professional information rather than sensationalize risk. Environmental findings are placed in context, with clear explanations of what was observed, the applicable standard or requirement, and the practical next step. This supports better decision-making while avoiding unnecessary uncertainty.
DEA’s project delivery approach
DEA begins each assignment by understanding the project purpose, schedule, available design information, and the decision the environmental work is intended to support. This helps keep the scope focused and allows technical work to be sequenced around project milestones.
Senior professionals remain involved in scoping, review, coordination, and issue resolution. When field conditions or agency comments change the expected path, clients have access to experienced practitioners who understand both the technical work and the broader project context.
Clear documentation is a core part of DEA’s approach. Reports, maps, correspondence, and recommendations are prepared so the project team can understand what was evaluated, what was identified, and what action may be required next. This is especially important when environmental information must be shared across engineering, legal, construction, funding, and operations teams.
DEA also looks for opportunities to coordinate related environmental tasks. When multiple disciplines apply, aligning fieldwork, GIS data, agency outreach, and reporting can reduce duplication and help keep the environmental record consistent as the project moves forward.
Contact DEA to discuss a property transaction, development site, infrastructure location, refinancing need, or known environmental concern. We can help determine the appropriate due diligence scope and timing for your project.
Our team can help identify potential environmental risks, define the appropriate level of assessment, and provide practical guidance to support informed, time-sensitive decisions.